Truven Health Analytics-NPR Health Poll: Fewer Americans Eating Meat, Citing Health Concerns
Recent Link between Processed Meats and Cancer Scares Some Consumers
ANN ARBOR, Mich. & WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–One third of Americans eat less meat now than they did three years ago,
according to the Truven Health Analytics-NPR Health Poll.
Truven
Health Analytics™ and NPR
conduct a bimonthly poll to gauge attitudes and opinions on a wide range
of health issues.
The latest survey asked respondents for their opinions and habits on
meat consumption. For comparison, these questions were identical to
those asked in a similar poll in 2012. Thirty-two percent of respondents
said they eat less meat than they did three years ago. Thirty percent
say they have changed their eating habits specifically because of recent
news about a link between processed meats and cancer.
Overall, 60 percent cite health as their primary reason for altering
their diet, down from 66 percent in 2012. The cost of meat (52 percent)
was the next most common reason, which reflected a rise from 47 percent
three years ago. Twenty-nine percent said they have environmental
concerns, a rate that stayed flat, and 25 percent are worried about
animal welfare, which dropped from 30 percent in 2012.
A majority of respondents (51 percent) still indicated they eat meat
between one and four times per week, but that figure is down from 56
percent. Slightly more Americans said they eat meat five or more times
per week: 38 percent compared with 31 percent in 2012. The four percent
of respondents who said they do not eat meat reflected roughly the same
amount as three years ago.
When respondents were asked if they would like to decrease their meat
consumption in the future, 33 percent said yes. That reflects a slight
rise from 2012 (30 percent). Respondents ages 65 and up (82 percent),
and respondents who were members of the Silent Generation (86 percent)
most frequently answered that they did not want to cut their meat
consumption.
“It is clear from these data that a new generation of Americans is
rethinking diet in light of concerns about health and the rising cost of
meat. But for respondents in the over 65 age range and in the Silent
Generation, it seems old habits die hard,” said Michael Taylor, M.D.,
Chief Medical Officer at Truven Health Analytics. “It will be
interesting to see how Americans replace meat in their dietary habits,
and if they will lean more heavily on plant-based nutrition.”
To date, the Truven Health Analytics-NPR Health Poll has explored
numerous health topics, including generic drugs, vaccines, data privacy,
narcotic painkillers and sports-related concussions. NPR’s reports on
the surveys are archived online at the Shots health blog here.
Truven Health maintains a library of poll results here.
The Truven Health Analytics-NPR Health Poll is powered by the Truven
Health PULSE® Healthcare Survey, the nation’s largest and
longest-running independently funded, nationally representative
multi-modal poll that collects information about health-related
behaviors and attitudes and healthcare utilization from 82,000 US
households annually. Survey questions are developed in conjunction with
NPR. The figures in this month’s poll are based on 3,008 participants
interviewed from December 1-15, 2015. The 2012 results are based on
2,007 survey participants interviewed from March 1-13, 2012. The margins
of error for both sets of results is 1.8 percent.
About Truven Health Analytics
Truven
Health Analytics delivers the answers that clients need to improve
healthcare quality and access while reducing costs. We provide
market-leading performance improvement solutions built on data
integrity, advanced analytics, and domain expertise. For more than 40
years, our insights and solutions have been providing hospitals and
clinicians, employers and health plans, state and federal government
agencies, life sciences companies, and policymakers the facts they need
to make confident decisions that directly affect the health and
well-being of people and organizations in the U.S. and around the world.
Truven Health Analytics owns some of the most trusted brands in
healthcare, such as MarketScan®, 100
Top Hospitals®, Advantage Suite®, Micromedex®,
Simpler, and ActionOI®. Truven Health has its principal offices in Ann
Arbor, Mich.; Chicago; and Denver. For more information, please visit truvenhealth.com.
About NPR
NPR is an award-winning, multimedia news organization and an influential
force in American life. In collaboration with more than 900 independent
public radio stations nationwide, NPR strives to create a more informed
public – one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and
appreciation of events, ideas and cultures.
Contacts
For Truven Health Analytics
J. Roderick, Inc. Public Relations
Brian
Erni, 631-584-2200
brian@jroderick.com
